Alessandro Tomasi confirmed himself as the man to beat at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Gizzeria, Calabria after another dominant display secured top spot and direct qualification for Sunday's final, while Kamil Manowiecki's hopes of a third consecutive title came to a disappointing end. In the women's competition, France's Vaina Picot and defending champion Maddalena Spanu also booked their places in the final after another commanding day's racing.
Saturday marked the final day of qualifying, with only the top nine riders earning a place in the medal series.Just six points separated eighth from tenth when racing began, leaving defending champion Mathis Ghio, New Zealand's Kosta Gladiadis and Manowiecki locked in a fight.
Tomasi was never part of that battle. The Italian, racing in Gizzeria for the first time, claimed four more race victories to finish comfortably at the top of the standings, while New Zealand's Sean Herbert sealed second overall to take the other automatic place in the final.
Behind them, the contest for the remaining qualification places proved the story of the day. Ghio, who had endured an uncharacteristically slow start to the regatta, rediscovered the consistency that carried him to four World Cup crowns. The Frenchman finished inside the top five in four of the day's five races to climb to sixth overall and safely into the quarter-finals.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Kosta Gladiadis (NZL) makes the cut
Gladiadis also produced when the pressure was greatest. The young Kiwi spent much of the afternoon trading positions with Oscar Leclair before eventually claiming the ninth and final qualification place by four points.
"I'm really stoked to have made it into the top nine," Gladiadis said. "I battled all day with Oscar and it was really close, so it's great to go through to the medal series by four points in the end."
For Manowiecki, however, there would be no escape. Having arrived in Calabria chasing a third successive World Cup title, the Pole never recovered from a difficult opening to the week and finished 13th overall, his title challenge over before the medal racing had even begun.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Kamil Manowiecki (POL) struggled with new equipment this week
The fleet had to contend with lighter winds than forecast and oppressive heat, forcing riders to pump relentlessly simply to stay on their foils.
Tomasi believes Sunday's medal series is likely to be decided by those same conditions. "Tomorrow will be similar, so I think the start will be crucial and so will good pumping to stay on our foils," he said. "It's something I like, so hopefully it will go well."
Francesco Cappuzzo also embraced the physical challenge despite the punishing conditions. "It's so tough out there," the Sicilian said. "It's very hot and you have to pump the whole time. Really hard." Yet he added with a smile: "I feel like the old times when I was winning. I feel strong at the moment."
The women's fleet faced an equally demanding afternoon as the breeze faded.
France's Vaina Picot continued her commanding week with another composed performance to qualify directly for the final alongside defending World Cup champion Maddalena Spanu.
There was drama for Italy's Charlotte Baruzzi when her wing unclipped from its harness connection just before the finish, leaving her scrambling across the line in fifth. The breeze then dropped so much that she was unable to get back onto her foil in time for the next race and was forced to sit it out. Despite the setback, Baruzzi held on to fourth overall to reach Sunday's semi-final.
Greek rider Aimilia Kosti again demonstrated consistency, finishing inside the top four throughout the day to retain third overall and earn direct passage into the semi-final.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Aimilia Kosti (GRE) is chased by Lara Talarico (ITA)
Qualifying is all but over except for a ‘golden ticket’ race on Sunday which will be the last chance to take the tenth spot in the Medal Series. Another day of light winds means Sunday's title race will likely be decided by patience and endurance.
Words: Alec Wilkinson
Photos: Robert Hajduk
